1966 Martin 0-18T Tenor Guitar

Hands-down, I think that Martin 0-18T models might be the best vintage flattop tenors regularly available. They're not the flashiest, they're not the prettiest-looking, and they're not as raucous or punchy as Gibsons, but they've got velvet-tone in spades. Just listen to how gorgeous this sounds in that video -- round, warm, full, and lingering with just a little burr of bluegrassy pick-attack when I'm leaning into it.

They're my first suggestion when someone wants to go higher-end and they like to play in the Celtic/octave mandolin GDAE tuning (which is what you're hearing this one strung/tuned to). The extra bit of air and soundboard size over a size 5 body gives the lower notes some extra bottom and punch and lends more "space" to the higher register. Other standard tunings -- CGDA "standard" and DGBE "Chicago" will also sound good, and open tunings really shine with the bigger body. I tend to like CGDA a little better on the size 5 Martins, though, where it gets a little more chimey and compressed which works really well for tight chord-melody.

That all said, this '66 is in fantastic shape save for a repaired "pickguard" hairline crack near the waist and all-original save the pins and new bone saddle. It's clean and shows only mild use/playwear and the finish just looks great on it.

It needed the usual work but now that it's done-up it plays perfectly, has plenty of saddle for later adjustments, and is good to go. It's currently strung for GDAE tuning but I can set it up and adjust the compensation at the saddle for whatever tuning you prefer.

Repairs included: neck reset, fret level/dress, new bone saddle, setup.

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid mahogany

Bracing type: x, lightweight, one tonebar

Bridge: rosewood

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast)
String gauges: 42w, 30w, 18w, 12 for GDAE

Neck shape: medium C/V

Board radius: flat

Truss rod: non-adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium-lower

Scale length: 23"

Nut width: 1 1/4"

Body width: 13 1/2"

Body depth: 4 1/8"

Weight: 2 lbs 10 oz

Condition notes: it's all-original save pins and saddle. There's a repaired (cleated, sealed) hairline crack next to the pickguard on the top near the waist. The finish itself is quite clean and shows only mild usewear/playwear. The original saddle is in the case pocket. There's also a hole in the back of the heel cap from where a strap button was located. I can fill it or leave it for a different one as desired.

It comes with: an older, oversize (00-size) hard case.